BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (2024)

BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
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These are the BEST M&M Cookies! Super soft, chewy, crispy edges and full of chocolate. These M&M cookies are a family favorite and taste like they came straight from a bakery!

Love cookie recipes? Don’t miss my chocolate chip cookies, and .

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Table of Contents

  • Ingredients
  • Quick Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Make Ahead and Freezing

Soft & Chewy M&M Cookies

These chocolate chip M&M cookies are one of the best classic cookies out there!

  • Easy. This recipe comes together in 30 minutes in one bowl.
  • Full of chocolate. These cookies are filled with chocolate chips & M&M’s adding the perfect balance to this chewy cookie.
  • Variations. This dough also makes great and a ! Use holiday colors for .

Ingredients

Below are the ingredients need to make this easy M&M cookie recipe. Many of these ingredients are pantry staples that you already have on hand.

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Scroll down for the printable M&M cookie recipe and video tutorial.

  • Unsalted butter: I prefer to use unsalted to control the amount of salt.
  • Baking staples:Butter, sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and eggs.
  • Light brown sugar: I love mixing brown sugar into my cookies for the perfect flavor.
  • Vanilla: I like to use a pure vanilla extract to bring out the flavor.
  • Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet are my personal favorite for this recipe.
  • M&M’s: I prefer to use the regular m&m candies, unless there is a holiday coming up.

How To Make M&M Cookies

BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (4)
  1. Using a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars for 1 minute in a large bowl using the paddle attachment. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix.
  2. Next add flour, baking soda and salt and whisk until combined. Fold in both chocolate chips and M&M’s to the flour mixture. Refrigerate dough for 15-30 minutes. By chilling the dough it helps them to not fall flat.
  3. Scoop cookie dough with large cookie scoop onto two baking sheets lined with baking mats or parchment paper, about 2 inches apart. Place extra M&M’s on top.
  4. Bake M&M cookies at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, until tops are barely golden. Let set on pan for 2 minutes, then move to cooling wire racks.

Quick Tips

Before you get started baking, check out my tips below. Follow these simple tricks and you’ll have the BEST M&M cookies in no time!

  • Refrigerate the dough, to help them stay thick and chewy.
  • Use a large cookie scoop to scoop dough onto baking sheet. This ensures the M&M cookies are all equal size.
  • Add extra M&M’s on top once the dough balls have been formed.
  • Bake at 375°F to get them crispy around the edges, yet keeping them soft inside.
  • Allow the M&M cookies to set on the pan for 2-3 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (5)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use regular M&Ms for baking?

Yes you can use regular or mini baking m&m’s. They both work great!

How do M&M’s not melt when baking?

The outside shell prevents them from melting into the cookie.

Why are my M&M cookies flat?

You may have not added enough flour. If your dough is too sticky, add a couple Tablespoons more flour. To make them not flat you can also refrigerate the dough for 1 hour. The oven could also be too hot. If your oven runs hot, bump it down 15 degrees.

How to get perfect round cookies?

Immediately when the cookies come out of the oven use a round cookie cutter or round glass placed directly over the cookie and use a circular motion to bump the edges of the cookie into a round shape. Just a reminder that your cookies must be warm!

Make Ahead and Freezing

Yes, these M&M cookies freeze very well. You can either freeze the baked M&M cookies or freeze the cookie dough. If freezing baked cookies, simply let cool completely then add to ziptop bag or freezer container. Store in freezer for about 2-3 months.

If you’d rather freeze the M&M cookie dough, simply scoop out dough and add to your prepared baking sheet. Freeze for about 30 minutes, or until cookie dough balls have hardened. Then add to a ziptop bag and store in the freezer for about 2-3 months.

When ready to eat, add cookie dough balls to baking sheet while oven warms. The M&M cookies will most likely need to bake a few minutes longer than usual since the dough was frozen.

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More M&M Desserts:

  • Monster cookies

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M&M Cookie Recipe

4.99 from 842 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

Author: Jamielyn Nye

These are the BEST M&M Cookies! Super soft, chewy, crispy edges and full of chocolate. These M&M cookies are a family favorite and taste like they came straight from a bakery!

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Refrigerate: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 24

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Video

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter , just barely softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup M&M’s , plus more for tops if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. In a large bowl, using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugars for 1 minute. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.

  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt and stir mix just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. Refrigerate dough for 15 to 60 minutes (up to 24 hours) if time allows.

  • Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 Tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Place extra M&M’s on the top of the cookies if desired.

  • Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the edges are barely golden brown. Allow cookies to set on pan for 2 minutes, and then remove to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

Storage:Store in a covered container up to 3 days. Freeze in a covered container up to 3 months.

Leftover dough:Form dough into balls and add to baking sheet. Place sheet in freezer until dough has hardened. Remove from freezer and add dough balls to freezer safe container or zip top bag. Store in freezer until ready to bake. Then place on the baking sheet 30 minutes before baking to soften.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

M&M cookies variations

We love to make different variations of these M&M cookies for all of the holidays. For some reason, the holiday M&M’s just taste better. IS IT JUST ME?! I feel like I’ve had a conversation about this with a few friends and we all agree.

We made these 4th of July cookies with red white and blue M&M’s and everyone loved them! You can also make holiday variations for Valentine’s Day, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween and . Sometimes I like to turn them into festive or even make a layered to give as a holiday gift!

BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (8)

Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cookies, Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Reader Favorites

BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (9)

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

More about Jamielyn Nye

Add a comment

821 comments

    • Kim Hardesty

    Love this recipe – they turned out perfect! This will be my go-to cookie recipe from now on.

    • Reply
    • Lanny
    • BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (10)

    These turned out sooo good!! It’s easily the best cookie recipe I’ve ever tried. Perfectly soft and chewy, with slightly crisp edges, balanced flavor, and easy to make! My new favorite cookie recipe for sure :)

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      I’m so glad you enjoy the cookies Lanny!

      • Reply
    • L
    • BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (11)

    Soooo good!! Easily the best cookie recipe I’ve ever made. Everyone loved these cookies. Perfectly soft and chewy with slightly crispy edge and perfectly balanced flavor!

    • Reply
    • Anne Pascucci

    Mine ended up pretty puffy and not flat. Should I use less flour next time?

    • Reply
      • Jamielyn Nye

      Yes, my guess is maybe there was too much flour scooped (I like to spoon and level the flour). You can also roll into balls and lightly press the balls down with your palm before baking.

      • Reply
    • Linda
    • BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (12)

    Best M&M cookies ever…though I baked them at 350 for 10 min…so soft..Making more now..everyone ate them😋

    • Reply
    • Liz
    • BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (13)

    These are perfect! I baked mine slightly longer than it said )11-12 minutes but otherwise kept the recipe as is. Going in my holiday baking rotation for sure!

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      Hi Liz! I’m so glad you enjoyed the cookies :)

      • Reply
    • Joseph Escalera

    Just love you cookies

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      Thanks Joseph! I love them too :)

      • Reply
    • Reagan C
    • BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (14)

    This has been my go-to cookie recipe for years! I use it as my “base dough” recipe as well. I have tried it with chopped candy bars, chocolate chunks, toffee pieces, reeses pieces, you name it. Thank you for the amazing and easy recipe!

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      That sounds delicious Reagan! I’m so glad you love the recipe :)

      • Reply
    • Rebecca Detore
    • BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (15)

    Great recipe!

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      Thanks Rebecca!

      • Reply

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BEST M&M Cookies Recipe (+ Video) - I Heart Naptime (2024)

FAQs

Why are my M&M cookies flat? ›

INGREDIENTS MEASURED INCORRECTLY

Common measuring mistakes like using too little flour or too much sugar can lead to a flat cookie, so always use measuring cups and spoons when adding dry and wet ingredients to your dough.

What is the best temperature to bake cookies? ›

Cookie temperatures fluctuate, with some recipes as low as 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and a few as high as 425 degrees Fahrenheit, but most recipes land on 375 or 350 to evenly bake the entirety of the cookie.

Can you use regular M&Ms for baking? ›

M&Ms: You can use regular-size, mini, or a mix of both. I like to crush some of them, too, to sprinkle on the top before baking.

What does cornstarch do to cookies? ›

As Levy Beranbaum writes in The Baking Bible, replacing a little bit of the flour in the dough with cornstarch results in “a more delicate cookie that is also easier to pipe or push through a cookie press.” Adding cornstarch helps tenderize tough gluten, contributing to a softer cookie dough with a finer crumb after ...

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

Light corn syrup is another ingredient that you can add to cookie dough that will help it stay softer longer. The corn syrup you buy at the grocery store is not the high-fructose corn syrup that soft drinks are made with; it's a sugar that is liquid at room temperature and helps other sugars say liquid at high heat.

How do you make cookies fluffy instead of flat? ›

Adjust leavening agents: Baking powder and baking soda are responsible for the rise and structure of cookies. If your cookies are too flat, try slightly increasing these leavening agents. Conversely, if your cookies are overly puffy and then collapse into flatness, it could be due to using too much leavening agent.

Is 350 or 375 better for cookies? ›

4. Oven too hot. We've found that the optimal temperature for cookie baking is 350F. It gives the butter in the dough time to melt and lightly spread before the remaining ingredients cook through.

Is it better to bake cookies at 325 or 350? ›

350° is the standard temp for a cookie, and it's a great one. Your cookies will bake evenly and the outside will be done at the same time as the inside. Baking at 325° also results in an evenly baked cookie, but the slower cooking will help yield a chewier cookie. The outsides will be a little softer, too.

Is it better to chill cookie dough before baking? ›

Popping your dough in the fridge allows the fats to cool. As a result, the cookies will expand more slowly, holding onto their texture. If you skip the chilling step, you're more likely to wind up with flat, sad disks instead of lovely, chewy cookies. Cookies made from chilled dough are also much more flavorful.

What does M&M stand for? ›

M&M stands for Mars and Murrie - named after Forrest E. Mars Sr. – the founder of Mars – and Bruce Murrie, the son of Hershey Chocolate's president William F. R. Murrie. The story behind how M&Ms came to be, begins after Mars had a fall-out with his father and travelled to Europe.

Why do M&Ms not melt in cookies? ›

M&Ms are made with a hard candy shell that protects the chocolate in the center from melting. However, during baking the candy shell might slightly crack from the heat or become more incorporated into the dough. Don't worry, they still taste just as delicious!

Why do M&Ms turn white? ›

It's actually just a scientific process called “chocolate bloom”. There are two types of this bloom: sugar bloom and fat bloom. Sugar bloom happens when moisture comes in contact with the chocolate - it dissolves the sugar crystals on the chocolate's surface, leaving a white, powdery look.

Is it better to use shortening or butter in cookies? ›

Which One Should I Use in Cookies? Basically, cookies made with butter spread more and are flatter and crisper if baked long enough. However, they are more flavorful than cookies made with shortening. Cookies made with shortening bake up taller and are more tender, but aren't as flavorful.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

How do you fix cookies that are too flat? ›

Chilling cookie dough before baking it can prevent the fat from melting too quickly in the oven, which results in flat cookies. Be patient and let your dough rest in the refrigerator for the recommended time noted in the recipe before baking.

Why did my cookies turn out flat and crispy? ›

Flour adds fluff and texture to the cookies. Adding too little flour can cause cookies to be flat, greasy, and crispy. Most recipes assume you'll use all-purpose, but if you want a lighter, crumblier cookie texture, choose one with a lower protein content such as cake-and-pastry flour.

Why are my crinkle cookies flat? ›

There are generally two reasons why cookies go flat, one is that the butter you used was too soft or downright melted even. The other is that not enough flour was used. How long do chocolate crinkle cookies last? They will last about 5 days when stored properly.

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